By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is have never heard of the ...

By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B+ Barrell Craft Spirits has two new expressions: Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 and Rye Batch 004.  The latter has been a few years in coming, since Barrell Rye Batch 003 was released back in 2020, but I’ll start with the bourbon. Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 is a blend that consists of sourced bourbon whiskey consisting ...

September has arrived, and with it comes a new batch of the ultra-aged version of Blade & Bow Bourbon, the 22 Year Old. “An ultra-premium bourbon, Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old is complex and enticing. I liken 22-Year-Old’s tasting notes to a freshly baked apple pie, fragrant and delicious,” said Doug Kragel, Lead Educator for Blade and Bow. “With an aroma ...

Kentucky Owl, the sourced bourbon and rye brand that was acquired by the Stoli Group in 2017, has brought in Maureen Robinson as their new Master Blender. She takes over the reins from John Rhea following his retirement after a long and industrious career. This appointment marks an exciting time for the brand as they bring in their first female ...

Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits today has announced Trifecta – the company’s first three-age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey that demonstrates the delicate balancing act required when blending a high-quality base whiskey with the vivid flavors and aromas from older “wood heat” whiskeys. Trifecta starts with a base of finely crafted ...